How to Say Drunk in Chinese

Learning how to express the concept of being drunk in another language can be both useful and fun. In Chinese, there are several ways to effectively convey this idea, depending on the level of formality and regional variations. In this guide, we will explore various terms and phrases for “drunk” in Chinese, ranging from formal to informal expressions. So, let’s dive in!

1. Formal Ways to Say Drunk

If you’re looking for a more formal way to convey the idea of being drunk in Chinese, you can use the following phrases:

1. 醉 (zuì)

醉 (zuì) is the most common formal term for “drunk” in Chinese. It can be used in both spoken and written language. For example:

他喝多了酒，已经醉了。(Tā hē duō le jiǔ, yǐjīng zuì le.)
He drank too much and is already drunk.

2. 酩酊大醉 (mǐng dǐng dà zuì)

酩酊大醉 (mǐng dǐng dà zuì) is a more formal and literary expression, often used to emphasize extreme drunkenness. It can be used in both written and spoken language, but it is less common in everyday conversations. Here’s an example:

昨晚他喝得酩酊大醉。(Zuó wǎn tā hē de mǐng dǐng dà zuì.)
Last night he drank until completely drunk.

2. Informal Ways to Say Drunk

When it comes to informal expressions for “drunk” in Chinese, you have a few options. These phrases are commonly used in everyday conversations:

1. 喝醉了 (hē zuì le)

喝醉了 (hē zuì le) is a casual and straightforward way to say “drunk” in Chinese. It’s a popular phrase that’s widely used by individuals of all ages. Here’s an example of how it can be used:

昨晚的派对太疯狂了，我喝醉了。(Zuó wǎn de pài duì tài fēng kuáng le, wǒ hē zuì le.)
The party last night was so crazy, I got drunk.

2. 烂醉如泥 (làn zuì rú ní)

烂醉如泥 (làn zuì rú ní) is an informal and colloquial expression that is commonly used to describe someone who is heavily intoxicated. It’s a vivid way of depicting extreme drunkenness. Here’s an example:

他喝了好多啤酒，烂醉如泥了。(Tā hē le hǎo duō píjiǔ, làn zuì rú ní le.)
He drank a lot of beer and got heavily drunk.

3. Regional Variations

Chinese is spoken in many regions of China, and sometimes there are regional variations in vocabulary. Here are a couple of examples of how the word “drunk” can vary across different regions:

1. 酩酊大醉 (mǐng dǐng dà zuì) – Northern China

In some parts of Northern China, such as Beijing, 酩酊大醉 (mǐng dǐng dà zuì) is commonly used to describe extreme drunkenness. This regional variation shows the rich diversity of the Chinese language.

2. 醉翁之意 (zuì wēng zhī yì) – Southern China

In Southern China, particularly in areas like Guangdong and Fujian, you might come across the phrase 醉翁之意 (zuì wēng zhī yì), which means “intoxicated feelings.” Though it is less commonly used as a standalone term for “drunk,” it portrays the poetic nature of the language in this region.

Tips and Examples

Tips:

• When using the term 醉 (zuì), it’s important to note that it can also mean “to be intoxicated” or “to get drunk.”
• Remember to use the appropriate measure words when discussing being drunk. For example, you can say 喝醉了一瓶酒 (hē zuì le yī píng jiǔ) to mean “drank a bottle of alcohol and got drunk.”

Examples:

1. 昨天晚上他太喝了，现在已经醉得不省人事了。(Zuótiān wǎnshàng tā tài hē le, xiànzài yǐjīng zuì de bù shěng rén shì le.) (Yesterday evening he drank too much, now he’s completely unconscious.)
2. 我们参加了一个婚宴，大家都喝醉了。(Wǒmen cānjiā le yī gè hūnyàn, dàjiā dōu hē zuì le.) (We attended a wedding banquet, and everyone got drunk.)
3. 他喝了一整晚的啤酒，最后烂醉如泥地回家了。(Tā hē le yī zhěng wǎn de píjiǔ, zuìhòu làn zuì rú ní de huí jiā le.) (He drank beer all night and ended up heavily drunk before going home.)

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide on how to say “drunk” in Chinese. Whether you’re looking for a formal term or an informal expression, you now have a variety of options at your disposal. Enjoy exploring the Chinese language and the cultural nuances that come with it!